Independence Day (Bangladesh)

Independence Day of Bangladesh
The first flag of the independent Bangladesh, which was subsequently replaced by the current version.
Official name	Independence Day of Bangladesh
Also called	(Bengali: স্বাধীনতা দিবস Shadhinata Dibôsh)
Observed by	Bangladesh
Type	National holiday
Celebrations	Flag hoisting, Parades, Award ceremonies, singing patriotic songs and the National anthem, Speeches by the President and Prime minister, entertainment and cultural programs.
Date	26 March
Next time	26 March 2014 (2014-03-26)
Frequency	annual

Jatiyo Smriti Soudho at Savar, a tribute to the martyrs of the Bangladesh Liberation War

The Independence Day of Bangladesh (Bengali: স্বাধীনতা দিবস Shadhinata Dibôsh), also referred to as 26 March, is a national holiday. It commemorates the country's declaration of independence from Pakistan in the late hours of 25 March 1971 by the "Father of the Nation" Bongobondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman before he was arrested by Pakistani forces.^[1]

History

On 26 March 1971 the independence of Bangladesh was declared and the Liberation War began. The people of then-East Pakistan took part in this war to liberate Bangladesh from the oppression of military leaders of Pakistan. Independence for Bangladesh was gained through a nine-month civil war against the Pakistani Army, which resulted in the loss of about 3 million lives.^[2] The Mukti Bahini (Bengali "freedom fighters"), with military support from India, defeated the Pakistani Army on 16 December in the same year, which is celebrated as Victory Day.

Celebrations

Independence Day is commonly associated with parades, political speeches, fairs, concerts, and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, and traditions of Bangladesh. TV and radio stations broadcast special programs and patriotic songs in honor of Independence Day. Generally, a thirty-one gun salute is conducted in the morning. The main streets are decorated with national flags. Different political parties and socioeconomic organizations undertake programs to mark the day in a befitting manner, including the paying of respects at Jatiyo Smriti Soudho, the national memorial at Savar near Dhaka.

Independence Award

The Independence Award, which is bestowed upon Bangladeshi citizens or organizations on the eve of the Independence Day, is the highest state award given by the government of Bangladesh. This annual award, instituted in 1977, is given for substantial contribution in Liberation War, the language movement, education, literature, journalism, public service, science-technology, medical science, social science, music, games and sports, fine arts, rural development, and other fields.

Google displayed a doodle commemorating the Independence Day of Bangladesh on 26 March 2013 on their bd domain.

See also

• History of East Pakistan (1947–1971)
• Bangladesh Liberation War
• The Blood telegram
• East Bengal
• Victory Day

References